MCS Europe is poised to add a new dimension to global tracking, monitoring and personal communication services in Europe. Through an exclusive license with US-based, ORBCOMM System, European companies will gain full access to affordable, two-way data communication via a system of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Currently 12 of the planned 28 satellites are in place and are undergoing a rigorous pre-operational test programme.

According to MCS Europe, the service is the ideal solution for companies active in the transportation, commercial marine, fishing, oil, petroleum, environment, government, utilities, personal communications and automotive markets.
Initially, the company will market a range of services including the monitoring of industrial assets such as pipelines, storage tanks and construction equipment, and the tracking and tracing of trailers, railcars and shipping containers.
In a second phase, the system will offer distress signal reporting and two-way personal communication in the recreational, commercial, military and automotive markets.
European services and applications are available through a comprehensive distribution network of country representatives, resellers and dealers. Already, contracts have been signed in 10 European countries giving MCS Europe access to 75% of the potential market in the region.

Satellites that save money
Bartolo Mignosa, CEO of MCS Europe says that LEO satellites will provide users with lower transmission costs and cheaper equipment than the present system of Geo-stationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites.
"We can offer tracking & tracing services that are within the price-range of the small to medium companies that make up our main market. When the
system becomes operational by the end of May, we will be the first supplier to offer European organisations the opportunity to follow individual containers during transport all over the world using simple, relatively low cost equipment."
According to Willem-Jan Bruin, Marketing and Sales Director of the company, a further advantage is the fact that the service will offer end-to-end solutions.
"We offer a one-stop-shopping concept. This includes hardware, software, mobile and terrestrial network solutions, a help-desk and maintenance services. Our representatives are companies which have proven sales and marketing reputations, well-established distribution networks and expertise of their local markets."

ORBCOMM is the world's first provider of global, commercial LEO satellite data and messaging communication services. It's European licensee, MCS Europe, headquartered in Amsterdam, was founded in October 1996 as a joint-venture comprising five leading European satellite communications companies: Telespazio (Telecom Italia Group), Italy; INSA (Ingenieria y Servicios Aerospaciales S.A.), Spain; OHB-System GmbH, Germany; SATCOM International PLC, United Kingdom and SSC (Swedish Space Corporation), Sweden.

For further information please contact:

Wisse Worldcom
Mr. Luc Levi
tel.: +31 26 443 15 23
fax: +31 26 351 33 15
communications@wisse-worldcom.nl

ins/Worldcom
Ms. Katarina Ahs
tel.: +46 8 587 497 00
fax: +46 8 587 497 40
katarina.ahs@lexivision.se